New web address for the Alfred H. Locke B24 crew website

Dale let me know a couple of months ago that geocities had informed him that they would be shutting down in the near future and that we would need to move the crew website I put together for us. I’ve been doing some looking around at options and finally settled on weebly.com. Once I got started moving the files over, I just kept going until I got it all done. I think I heard Dale’s sigh of relief all the way from St.Louis this evening that it is taken care of. I didn’t see a way to import the backup files I managed to get with the help of a friend-of–a-friend, so I had to build it all again from scratch. Weebly just upgraded their editor capability and speed last week, and I was pleasantly surprised at how fast it all went. It will be easier to edit this site too, so hopefully I can keep it up to date better now.

Here is the new address: http://alfredhlockeb24crew.weebly.com/index.html
You can leave comments on the blog there, if you like. They use a blog instead of a formal guestbook. I got some aerial photos of one of the crew’s actual missions from a site visitor a while back. Hopefully I can find them and get them added to the site soon.

Update your bookmarks now because once geocities shuts down in October sometime the previous website there will just be gone.

The ABCs of Sarah

Finally, only 10 months late, I have finished Sarah’s ABC album and she has a book of her own and doesn’t have to borrow her sisters’ albums and pretend that she is the one in the pictures. It seems there are never enough pictures of herself to look at though as  now she keeps telling me that her baby album needs more pictures as there are still empty pages at the back LOL

Sarah's ABC album credits:
ABC templates by Janet Phillips DailyDigi Files 2
brown paper by Jessica Bolton, Outnumbered Girl
Hop, Skip, Jump by The-LilyPad Designers, DailyDigi Files 2
various elements by: Jacque Larsen, Kate Hadfield, Dani Mogstad, Kim Broedelet, Ellie Lash, Misty Cato, Trixie Scraps, Irene Alexeeva, Kristin Aagard, Berna Datema, Dede Smith, mle Card, Faith True, Krystal Hartley, Laura Deacetis, Lauren Grier, Flergs, Kaye Winieki, Madame Mim, LaurieAnnHGD, Valori Brown, Traci Reed, Annie Manning (Paint The Moon), Michelle Godin, Pamela Donnis, Weeds & Wildflowers, Tiff Brady, Saxon Holt, Christina Renee, MBatton, New Life Dreams, Bluebell Designs, Amy Hutchinson, Amy Sumrall, Laura Bratcher, Redju, Sweet Digi Scraps, Sausan Designs, Amanda Slagle (mandabean), ScrappinCop, Dianne Rigdon, Bren Boone, SaraAmarie, Shabby Miss Jenn, Lliella, Rachel Young, Bunny Cates

what we’ve been up to the last couple of weeks

I’ve been meaning to get my blog updated for the last couple of weeks and just haven’t gotten to it. We’ve been mostly doing the ‘usual’ stuff for this summer- transporting girls back and forth to dance classes, trying to keep up with the grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning up. The kids run around the block to all of their different friends’ houses when we are at home. I took them to see the Hannah Montana movie at the second-run theater on Tuesday last week. Sarah is not my favorite company at movies. Once she was done eating her popcorn she was ready to go, and that was about the time the previews ended and the movie finally started. For the next two hours I had to keep telling her to sit down and be quiet and no, she couldn’t go to the bathroom (she uses it as something to do when she is bored). Maybe if we had chosen to see ‘Monsters vs. Aliens’ instead she would be have been better entertained. If the kids aren’t outside with their friends they are wanting to be on one of the computers or the Wii. Sarah has discovered the lure of the Wii and wants to play too now. She is improving at bowling, getting spares every once in a while., but most other games are still too hard for her though she doesn’t seem to care. I have to remind the older kids that it doesn’t matter how badly she does and to just let her try to do it by herself. Bryce has a really hard time with that as he can’t stand watching other people mess up LOL Mark is out hiking up and down Barr trail several times a week.

I’ve spent a lot of time designing, and most of that work I can’t show off yet since it is either unfinished or part of team collabs that aren’t ready for release. Here’s the main thing I worked on. I’ve been wanting to make a kit to go with the blue background with the stars all over it- that is part of the WWII memorial wall behind the reflecting pool at the monument. I’m quite happy with how the paper that has the Declaration of Independence on it came out, made from a souvenir reproduction I picked up on our vacation last year.

http://www.scrapdish.com/store/product.php?productid=3842&cat=0&page=1

and I did a few layouts somewhere in all of that above!

journaling: Kristen hosted her July 4th potluck again this year. It’s something we all look forward to- getting together to celebrate the 4th, eat lots of good food and enjoy company with friends we might not have seen in a while.
credits: Boom! Mini Kit by Holly McCaig at 2peasinabucket.com; Layered Up In You Scallops by Lauren Grier at SweetShoppeDesigns; fonts: Dirty Ego, CK Becky

journaling:   The military bases in town invited the public to their July 4th celebrations this year as the city had decided there was not enough money in the budget to hold the traditional celebration in Memorial Park. The Air Force Academy was planning to hold their party on the 4th, but as the weather was predicted to be rainy that evening we chose to attend the one held at Fort Carson on July 3. The Colorado Springs Philharmonic played, fireworks were exploded and all of the usual festival entertainments were present- it was just a different location. To me it doesn’t really matter the exact date or location, but the spirit in which you celebrate the event.
credits: from scrapbookgraphics.com: Template by Jen Caputo from Impressions of Mother Earth; Nightfall (blue paper), Mystery (blue frame wrap), and Blaze by Flergs; Dark Papers by ON Designs; Newsworthy Alpha by Birgit Kerr; Messy Glitter Sprays (retired) by Micheline Martin; gold stars from Stars & Stripes by Melinda Staley at scrapdish.com; flag from Freedom Trinkets by Shabby Miss Jenn at shabbymissjenndesigns.com; fonts: Bookman Old Style

  credits: Day at the Zoo by Phuong at scrapboographics; Studio Play Day freebie template by Hillary Heidleberg at scrapbookgraphics; fonts: Cezanne, Typewriter

journaling: One of the kids’ favorite things to do when visiting Grandmama was to take Rusty for a walk around the block. It was a good way to wear him out and after three circuits of the block this afternoon he was ready for us to go home so he could take his afternoon nap!
credits: Poo-Chi by Jessica Bolton at funkyplaygrounddesigns.com; Stepping Stones Template by Melinda Staley at scrapdish.com (coming soon); Doggie Bag templates by Kristi Westling at InspirationLane.com; fonts: Arial Narrow

journaling: Things are just too quiet at Grandmama’s house now that you aren’t there, Rusty. We knew you for such a short time. I know there are good reasons for why it was best for you to go to a new home. I think it takes more strength to do what you know is right, even when you don’t like it much, than to just go on. Grandmama is keeping in touch with your new family and making sure that you are adapting well. Maybe we will even get to see you again, though you might not remember us. We will remember you though and cherish the memories of your excitement to see us whenever we came through the door.
credits: Poo-Chi by Jessica Bolton at funkyplaygrounddesigns.com
fonts: CK June Bug Louise

Look Into My Eyes

We renewed our zoo membership yesterday afternoon and spent a couple of hours walking around looking at the animals, along with lots and lots of other people out enjoying the nice weather while it lasted. I thought this sign near the entrance was fitting to go with  the great pictures I got :)

 

A Joey Wallaby was available for petting. The docent said he was 10  months old.

The birds in the Budgie house were very active. There were several kinds I hadn’t seen before. There was a bright orange and black bird pair that I tried to get a picture of, but they wouldn’t hold still for me.

 

Carissa had a stick with a few seeds on it and was able to entice 3 different birds to join her for a minute with it.

The Grizzly Bears were having fun playing in their pool.

Lots of animals were running around in the Big Backyard.

They recently closed the Reptile House for future renovation, and I had wanted to get pictures of the colorful frogs that used to be housed there, so I was glad to find them located in the Hippo House now.  These first two pics are of the Panamanian Golden  Frogs, which according to their information sign are endangered in the wild because the Chytrid fungus has devastated their population. It is hoped that they can be repopulated from zoos once a preventative or cure for the fungus is found.

American Bullfrogs 

African Bullfrog- ick! They can get as big as dinner plates! Grandmama asked us if we thought kissing him would turn him into a prince when I showed her the picture while we were waiting for the fireworks to start LOL

The Komodo Dragon was up at the window watching everyone watch her.

Poison Arrow Frogs

One of the young orangutans showing off for his admirers on the other side of the glass, while his mother watches from below.

This Lion Tamarin was playing peek-a-boo with people.

 

and the truly exotic deer  (LOL) were spotted walking through the edge of the zoo as we were leaving. We actually spotted deer three times in various places yesterday, one even had a fawn the girls said though I didn’t see it.

P365: June 2009

credits: A Perfect Day by Flergs and Kaye Winieki at scrapbookgraphics; 365 Project Templates by Amy Pearson

 

It’s hard to believe the year is half over already!

This week’s layouts

Not much in the way of layouts for the week. I’ve spent the majority of my time working on a new tutorial for SBG and RAKscraps. What started out as one tutorial has turned into a series of 4 tutorials. There was just so much information that I had to break it up. I think it will work better this way- give people smaller chunks to digest and not be so overwhelmed with it all. I’ve still got some formatting and such to do, so I’m not quite done with them yet.

I had to take a break from the tutorial stuff last night and scrap something. I had just been looking at it too long at that point. I had been wanting to record something the twins did last week during lunch one day- they were having a contest seeing who knew more texting/IM abbreviations. One of them would toss out the abbreviation and the other would have to say what it meant, then she could give another for the first girl. They knew more than I expected since neither of them has a cell phone or even an email account at this point. I guess they hear them on TV shows and from other kids, and they even have a shirt that has a few written on it. The shirt must have been a hand-me-down from our friends the Nortons as I didn’t buy it. LOL

journaling: Beth & Carissa don’t have cell phones, or even an email account yet, but texting abbreviations still creep into their everyday conversations.  One afternoon during lunch they were having a contest to see who knew more of them than the other. I think it ended up being a draw. LOL
credits: ATT May 28 template from scrapartist blog; Glenda, Delight in Photographs 3, Teeny Tiny Tags, Teeny Tiny Tags Alpha, Thrifty Doodled Alpha, Thrifty Bubbly Acrylic Alpha, Thrifty Graph Paper Cutouts, Foam Stamp Alpha, by Jessica Bolton at funkyplaygrounddesigns; Glitter Sprays by Micheline Martin; Glitter Paint Splats, Flocked Alpha, Alphabits by Christina Renee; Free Spirit alpha by CD Muckosky at LittleDreamerDesigns; Garden Pop Dot and Newspaper Alphas by Kim Jensen at scrapdish; Paper Borders Vol 10 kids by Birgit Kerr at scrapbookgraphics
fonts: Century Gothic

And the other page I got done last weekend is a flash back to vacation last summer when we spent a few days with MommyPat and Walt. One day we went to visit the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore. I really enjoyed the couple of hours we spent there. Will Rogers was an incredible man. His insights into life still very much ring true today. We need more men like him in the world!

journaling: MommyPat took us to visit the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore. It was a very interesting couple of hours learning about this man known as “Oklahoma’s Favorite Son.” He lived the American dream- small town boy grows up to be rich and famous. It is the way that he did this that is inspiring- through hard work, honesty and integrity. Those values stuck with him throughout his career and life, making him one of our country's true heroes.
credits: yippee-Ki-Yay by Tangie Baxter and Sherrie JD, Chipper Chatter and Chipper Chatter A to Z Adjectives by Tangie Baxter, at scrapbookgraphics; Hat and rope from Rag Tag Cowboy by Dani Mogstad at SweetShoppeDesigns; Template 24 by Yin Designs; fonts: Typewriter

Layouts For Sarah

Anytime there is a picture up my computer screen, Sarah has to come over and ask if that is her. Even photos that look nothing like her, she still has to ask which I think is just too funny. I’ve done ABC books for all of the kids for their third birthday, but I just didn’t get one done for Sarah last year for several reasons. She gets out all of the other kids books and pretends, or maybe just wishes, that the child in all of the photos is her. I’m working on her book slowly, she just doesn’t know it. I plan to have it done for her 4th birthday, as I have to squeeze working on it in between all of the other assignments I have to get done. I’m sure I can have it done by then ;)  I’ve actually scrapped her more than any of the other kids, but the layouts are scattered all through the family albums and we don’t get those out all that much. I guess I need to do that more often for her. In the meantime, here are a couple of layouts that are just for Sarah.

Sarah attended her very first dance class on Monday, June 15. She did very well and had lots of fun. I don’t think she was ready for class to end. I was a bad mom and forgot to take her tap shoes though (Brenna's being in the bag already threw me off), so she had to wear her ballet shoes while everyone else was making glorious noise with their shiny black tap shoes. She was a trooper and didn't pout but a second, going back into class and following along anyway. I had to let her wear her shoes at home for over an hour to make it up for it (usually not allowed since we don't want the wood floors ruined).

credits: Ballet Slippers by Kate Hadfield and Jacque Larsen, Mismatch Type Alpha by Jacque Larsen, at the-LilyPad; Stitching with flowers from Kaylee's Kadleidoscope by Flergs at scrapbookgraphics; P52 Week 25 template by Tracy Blankenship at funkyplaygrounddesigns.com; In the Pink by Kate Hadfield (blog freebie); fonts: CK Becky

journaling: This was Sarah’s favorite dress for one main reason- it had pockets she could tuck her small toys in and take them with her wherever she went. Polly Pockets and My Little Ponies were usually the favorites, and Tinkerbell too.
credits: Sprung by Creashens at catscrap; LO template by Janet Phillips; Plastic Pockets by Holliewood Studios at oscraps; paper piecing set 9 by Michelle Filo at LittleDreamerDesigns; Tropicana by Flergs at scrapbookgraphics; Date It by Amber Clegg at scrapartist; fonts: CK Becky

One more dance recital layout

The twin’s ballet pictures.

journaling: Beth and Carissa’s Ballet 8 class with Ms. Toni this year performed this pretty dance where they were flowers swirling around the stage in a spring breeze.
credits: Fantasy and Fantasy Overlays by Peta Boardman at scrapbookgraphics; Photo Overload 4 by Hillary Heidelberg at scrapbookgraphics.
fonts: Cezanne and Typewriter

weekend layouts

Still fighting off this stupid cold, though I think I'm finally winning. At least I felt like getting out of bed today, and I even managed to tag all of my photos from the last 3.5 months in ACDsee and scrap two pages- not too bad LOL I think I've gone through about 3/4 of a box of Kleenex in the last 6 days, and I am definitely ready for the coughing to stop.

A few of my favorite photos from the dress rehearsal nights of the 'big girls'- the senior level dancers. 

credits: Photo Overload 4 by Hillary Heidleberg at scrapbookgraphics; black papers by Flergs (Mystery Mini) and Jessica Bolton (Thrifty Solids 4); scruffy stiches by Amy Hutchinson at After5Designs; fonts: Arid ITC, Century Gothic

credits: Peppermint Twist and scruffy stitches by Amy Hutchinson at After5Designs; Silly Starburst Pastels (altered) by Flergs at scrapbookgraphics; Photo Overload 4 by Hillary Heidleberg at scrapbookgraphics
fonts: 2Peas Unforgettable, Tom's New Roman

The twins tap 4 class dance from recital was to Johnny B. Goode by Elvis

credits: Outnumbered Girl (background paper) by Jessica Bolton at funkyplaygrounddesigns; Be-bop-a-lula by Kate Hadfield and Jaqcue Larsen at The-LilyPad; Sketchbook Alpha by Kate Hadfield at The-LilyPad; Template 33 by Yin Designs; fonts: Fontdinerdotcom

credits: Modern Zoo and La Paperie 7-9 by Baers Garten at scrapbookgraphics
fonts: Century Gothic

journaling: This stuffed corgi dog was given to you by Sue at the library for Christmas. She doesn’t have a set name, but you love her!
credits: Cherish and La Paperie 7-9 by Baers Garten at scrapbookgraphics; fonts: FO Howie's Stamps Lowfat, CK Becky

More Recent Layouts

journaling: It was a beautiful spring evening with a breeze, so we ventured to the park to enjoy the warm temperatures and fresh air. There was just enough wind to get the kite up into the air.
credits: A Little Ray of Sunshine by Peta Boardman at scrapbookgraphics, Gridlocked Template Set 1 by Hillary Heidelberg at scrapbookgraphics
fonts: Typewriter

credits: So you Think You Know Me, Border Effects, Bliss, April Showers, Noted Garden, Just Wordies- Birthday Goodness by Holly McCaig at 2peasinabucket.com; template by Chrissy W at elementalscraps; fonts: LD Letterpress, Century Gothic

journaling: Brenna received a certificate for a free ice cream cone from Baskin Robins for good behaviour from school. The girls had fun picking from the many different flavors. Mama and Daddy both stuck with good ole chocolate too. Yum!
credits: Sweeter Than Candy by Misty Cato from The Fix May 2009 at DSA; Monday stamp from Shabby Week by Chris Grieser; date labels from Every Day by Jen Yurko; P52 Week 21 template by Tracy Blankenship at funkyplaygrouddesigns
fonts: CK Becky

I collaged a few of my favorite photos from this outing into one for this layout.

credits: Earth Laughs in Colors and Mixed Grass by Saxon Holt at scrapbook-elements; fonts: CK Script

I enjoyed putting this layout together for Beth- I don't think I will tell her what all of the things are, she will just have to discover them on her own as she reads the books.
journaling: Beth began reading Twilight on June 1 and spent all day absorbed in the book. I have to admit to being glad that someone else in the family finds it as fascinating as I did. I am looking forward to discussing the storyline with her as she makes her way through the series this summer.
credits: Into the Twilight by Flergs at scrapbookgraphics.com; Love Bites by Dani Mogstad, Shawna Clingerman and Traci Reed at sweetshoppedesigns.com; P52 Week 23 template by Tracy Blankenship at funkyplaygrounddesigns.com
fonts: Black Adder

 

It's amazing how much they change from year to year, though you don't usually recognize it until you compare photos from one year to the next.
credits: Unamused Boys Vol.2 by Jessica Bolton at funkyplaygrounddesigns
fonts: GF Halda Smashed

 

credits: New Direction Papers and Swoosh by Dianne Rigdon at scrapartist.com; P52 Week 24 template by Tracy Blankenship at funkyplaygrounddesigns.com; Ready 2 Go and See Me Under: Arrows by Tania Cordova Shaw at funkyplaygrounddesigns.com; Thrifty Twills and staple from Unamused Boys V2.0 by Jessica Bolton at funkyplaygrounddesigns.com; also by Jessica Bolton, retired: Graph Cuts and Eclectic Needs Variety Primary Buttons
fonts: Ticket Capitals Impressed and Century Gothic

 

credits: Delicate Flower by Line Designs for Digital Artist Magazine, May 2009; Doodle Dance Acrylics by Fontologie; fonts: FO Doodle Dance

and a few more layouts from vacations I haven’t finished scrapping yet.

journaling: I had heard and read about all of the wrought iron garden gates and balconies before visiting Savannah, and the historic district did not disappoint me. I loved all of the styles from simple to ornate, and peeking through them to catch glimpses of the homes’ gardens and porches.
credits: Paper Garden and Roseate Delight by Franziska Altmann at scrapbookgraphics; Sketch Collection 21 by Jen Caputo at scrapbookgraphics; Iron alpha from Vivid Intensity by Kim Jensen at scrapdish; fonts: Natural Script

journaling: The robotics room was one of our favorite exhibits. Everyone young and old enjoyed playing with the robots- drawing and dancing with them, trying to beat them, and learning how they are used in industry to build the things we use every day in a quicker and more efficient manner.
credits: Industre by Flergs at scrapbookgraphics; template 114 by Yin Designs; fonts: CK Carbon Copy

journaling: It was fascinating to watch the various robots assemble and test our own toy top, & then personalize it just for us.
credits: Beep Boop by Lauren Grier and Kristen Cronin-Barrow at SweetShoppeDesigns; i Robot by Kate Hadfield and Kaye Winieki at The-LilyPad; fonts: Courier

School Layouts

I made it through the end of school and recital, and then picked up a nasty cold bug that has knocked me out for most of this week. Typical- I get to the end of a busy/stressful time and then get sick. At least we were at home instead of going on vacation somewhere, but so much for getting some things done like the mounds of laundry that have built up in everyone’s room while I didn’t have to worry about ferrying people to summer dance classes, which start next week. Today is the first day I’ve started to feel a smidge better, so hopefully I’ll be over this by the time the weekend is done.

One of the best things that Brenna brought home at the end of the year was a little book of pictures that were taken during class. Since I don’t have much opportunity to get in and help in the classroom, I was very appreciative. Brenna said she got to pick a few of the ones that she wanted for it.

 

journaling:   It has been so fun to watch you learn and grow this year, Brenna. You’ve made new friends and developed some confidence in what you can do when you try. I hope you have lots of good memories of your kindergarten year!
credits: Preschool Palooza by Emily Powers and Kate Hadfield at WeAreStoryTellers (retired); Pack To School by Helene Duchet at scrapbookgraphics; I Can See Clearly Layer Styles by Misty Cato; Make The Grade (globe) by Jaque Larsen; File It Under... Glitzy by Michelle Godin; fonts: CK Ali's Writing, 2Peas Sandbox

journaling: Yeah, kiddo! You did it! Daddy and I are so proud of you and how hard you have worked this year. Besides your letters, numbers, sight words, writing, and all of the many other things you learned, we hope that you remember that you will only succeed if you first give the new things a try. Have confidence in yourself! You made it through kindergarten and we know you will be a success in first grade too!
credits: Children's Day by Amy Sumrall, SYTYCD week 4 kit; P52 Week 22 template by Tracy Blankenship at FunkyPlaygroundDesigns; string (SYTYCD week 1), curly ribbon (Tangerine Twist) and apple flair (SYTYCD week 2 kit) by Flergs; acrylic bracket from Garden Pop by Kim Jensen at scrapdish; bubblewrap stamps from Reality Check by Suzy-Q Scraps (SYTYCD week 2 kit); File It Under... glitzy by Michelle Godin; fonts: CK Journaling condensed

credits: Children's Day QP by Amy Sumrall, SYTYCD week 4 kit
fonts: 2Peas Sandbox

credits: Paisley Crush, Paisley Crush Handy Helpers 1 and 2, and Fresh Coat Lil Alpha by Dianne Rigdon at scrapartist; fonts: Christine

credits: Paisley Crush, Shabby Love: Soft Things, Shiny Things, Paper Things, and Cut Paper Sugars, and Fresh Coat: Lil Alpha and Shabby Stencils by Dianne Rigdon at scrapartist; Layered Sketches for Creating Keepsakes April 2008 by Jen Caputo
fonts: Century Gothic, Natural Script, Impact

journaling: Graduation started off with the presentation of the Officer David Pratt award. Officer Pratt has been the DARE officer assigned to our school for many years and this award was established by him to honor the 5th grade student who best exemplifies leadership and citizenship. After Mrs. Patchen finished reading this wonderful letter and tribute to this year’s chosen recipient, it was announced that it was our Elizabeth!
credits: Paisley Crush, and Rainy Days Quick Pages and Clusters by Dianne Rigdon at scrapartist
fonts: SBC Distressed Typewriter, Times New Roman, TXT Romanesque

This layout about the science fair projects the kids did has been a couple of weeks in the making since I photographed and extracted most of the items for the sections on what the kids did. Those wire things for Carissa’s section were a bear and took forever! At least the toothpicks were easy ;)

journaling:  We had 3 very different science fair projects going on in our house this spring. Bryce built toothpick bridges and crushed them with metal marbles and cans of food from the pantry (they held much more wieght than I expected!), Elizabeth tried to grow new plants from cut leaves and rooting powder. The results were not what we expected, and it turns out that it just needed more time than we had to see the real results. Carissa learned about copper plating and the conditions that you need to make it successful. Hers was the most immediately visible and was quite fun to watch. as it progressed.
credits: Science Fair by Kim Hill at CGEssentials; Copper Alpha from Something Special by Meredith Fenwick; Old Copper Penny by Misty Cato; Grandma's Garden by Shabby Miss Jenn; Scruffy Stitches by Amy Hutchinson at After5Designs; Ooey Gluey alpha by Aja Abney at scrapartist; hot glue blobs from Crafting with.... Garden Borders by Dianne Rigdon at scrapartist
fonts: CK Chemistry